Report says Egypt denied Iranian official entry to Gaza

Egyptian authorities refused the request of Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani to enter the Gaza Strip following Operation Pillar of Defense, according to Iranian media outlet Mashriq News.

Larijani was visiting the region in late November and planned to stop in Gaza, according to the report, but his request to pass through the Rafah crossing that connects Egypt to the Strip was denied.

Iran’s foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, also requested permission to visit Gaza, reported Ynet, but has yet to receive a reply from Cairo.

Leaders of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist groups publicly thanked Iran after the end of the 8-day Israeli offensive against Gaza last month, during which Iranian-made Fajr missiles were fired at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Israel considers Iran to be its most dangerous enemy and has long accused the Islamic Republic of funneling weapons into the Strip.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.